By Andrea A Sen
“Hey brat!! Stop right there!”….. Jack clenched the loaf of bread and the small box of soup tightly in his hands as he ran as fast as possibly so as to not get caught by the store owner. But he stumbled upon a log and fell down. The shop owner caught him and was going to teach him a lesson. “Let me go….let me go!!”Jack struggled to get away from the owner’s release. “Stop squirming around. How dare you steal the food from our store!....Haven’t your parents taught you any manners, dumb kid!! If they haven’t then I will teach you one right now” He was going to punch Jack so he shut his eyes tightly but the punch didn’t land on him. When he had opened his eyes he saw that someone had intervened. “What the-“ the owner was stopped by a blonde man. The guy asked to Jack for whom he was taking the food for. With heavy breathing and anger in his eyes towards the owner he said “my little sister is ill. And my mom is always working very hard…and..and..” Words were not coming out of his mouth but before he finished the blond guy gave the money for the food items and the owner let go of Jack. “Tch…good for nothing little squirt” said the frustrated owner and went away. Someone called the blond guy from the nearby bakery, “William we need your help here.” “Coming right up” he said and looked at Jack. Jack got away from him, took the food items and ran back home.
He reached home panting. It already became evening and he waited for his mom to come home and till that time he was looking after his younger sister. Right when she came home Jack hugged her and showed what he brought. She was taken aback and asked him about how he got it. He told her everything. She hugged him and said softly “ I’m sorry Jack that I’m burdening you with so much that you felt you had to steal just to help me, though you are just 7 years old. I know it’s been tough for all of us since your dad passed away an year ago. But don’t worry I have bought the medicines for Michelle and you don’t have to steal anymore okay? I’m doing just fine so you don’t have to worry about me working for the whole day. I love you so much. So… tomorrow we should return the money back to that person. Understood?””Mmm..”replied Jack by nodding his head and eyes filled with tears. She caressed his head lovingly.
The following day he and his mom went to that place since he understood that the blond guy worked in that bakery. The neighbours ensured to take care of Michelle while they were gone. They saw him and his mom called out “umm…excuse me, may I talk to you sir?” He turned and saw them. “Sure ma’am, how can I help- oh! You are the kid that I saw yesterday. How is your sister doing now?“ Jack gripped his mom’s lower end of her skirt and moved a little bit behind his mom. His mom spoke up while handing William the money “About that, here you go. Thank you for helping out my son. You are such a kind soul.” “Nothing like that. And please don’t worry about the money. You don’t have to return it.” He said with a grin on his face. ”But I insist sir-“ but he still refused to take. He bend down to Jack’s height and asked with a smile on his face “What’s your name kid?” “Jack…Johnson” Jack replied. “I’m William Adams. Pleasure to meet you, Jack. So…do you want to help your mom and sister?” This piqued Jack’s interest and he nodded. William held his small hands and said “Well that’s good. Then strengthen your heart and will so that you don’t give yourself to bad feelings and wrong actions. Life has its ups and downs but don’t let anyone or anything drag you down. What makes you happy Jack?” ” I’m happy when my mom and sister hugs me!!!” Jack replied excitedly with a big smile on his face. His mom also felt happy when she heard his answer. “Then cherish and protect your family. Got that?” He ruffled the little boy’s hair. “Yes sir. And thank you for saving me yesterday.” Jack felt happy and before going home he waved back at William and his mom bowed before leaving. “I won’t forget about you sir.” Jack thought to himself. Then they left for home.
25 years later…….
It was winter season so it was foggy in the morning. A car accident took place and the man who was hit was injured and bleeding on the road. The people realized it and rushed him to the hospital. It seemed that he required operation so he was quickly taken to the operation theatre. His family members were contacted to immediately reach the hospital. The operation was successful and he was brought to his room but the cost of the operation was too expensive. His family members were bit worried and were lost in thought as to how to pay the money.
Jack was sitting in his chair and was checking through the documents of the patients in his ward. He had heard that 3 days ago someone had met with an accident 2 streets across this place and were brought here but they didn’t have enough money to pay. He was going through the pages and there he saw a familiar name.” William Adams” He looked and read through everything. The details did matched with whatever he had heard.
Later that evening a nurse had brought another paper which looked like a bill. William’s daughter, Fiona was surprised as it was written “Paid in Full” She thought there was some mistake and was going to enquire with the nurse or ask in the front desk but a folded paper fell down from it. It was written “To William Adams” So she gave it to her dad. He opened and read it.
“Sir,
I heard about your accident. Hope you are doing fine now sir. 25 years ago you helped me when I did not have money to pay for the bread and soup. Do you remember it? We had to move out of town after that so I couldn’t meet you again. Now I’m working in this hospital. I worked hard and as you said I have had tough times but I always remembered your words and kept going forward. I’m still grateful to you sir. And I do cherish you as I have considered you as a part of my family from that day onwards. Though I am still incompetent at some things but I hope I grew up with a strong heart and will just as you wished for. Thank you so much sir.
Oh! I forgot to write it before. Please don’t worry about the money I have paid it in full and you don’t have to return it. And do take plenty of rest sir.
Jack Johnson”
Tears rolled out from his eyes and it fell on the letter. It was tears of happiness and joy and William thought to himself “I should be the one thanking you kiddo. You really outdid yourself.” Though there was a chilly breeze and snow outside, this letter not only warmed William’s heart but it warmed his family members heart too.
By Andrea A Sen
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